Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for promoting relaxation and gentle exercise of the lower spinal and pelvic muscles comprising a movable, upper-torso supporting means and an adjustable knee and lower leg supporting means whereby the pelvis is freely suspended.

tates 1e; 1 [1 .1 1111 3,866,605 Stakeman 1 1 Feb. 18, 1975 [54] APPARATUS 2,768,622 10/1956 Sanders 128/71 3,124,126 3/1964 Spinks [76] Inventorg f g fi mg f g 3,404,679 10/1968 Bevilacquu 128/71 Filed: 2, 1973 Primary Eraminer-Lawrence W. Trapp [2]] App. No; 346,996 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert H. Dewey [52] 11.8. C1. 128/70 [57] ABSTRACT {51] Int. Cl. A611 5/00 [58] Field of Search 128/6841 An apparatus for promotmg relaxation and gentle ex- 128/75 ercise of the lower spinal and pelvic muscles comprising a movable, upper-torso supporting means and an [56] References Cited adjustable knee and lower leg supporting means UNITED STATES PATENTS whereby the pelvis is freely suspended.

2,695,017 11/1954 Herrmeyerml 128/71 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU FEB 1 8 I975 SHEET 10? 2 HGI PMEMEW 3.866.605

SHEET 2 OF 2 I APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus to assist in the relief of lower back pain. In a particular aspect, this invention relates to an apparatus which is effective for promoting relaxation, mild stretching and permitting gentle exercise of the muscles of the lower spine and pelvic region.

Lower back pain resulting from strain and spasm of the lower back muscles, especially those of the lower spine and pelvic regions, is a common and excruciating malady. Bed rest, application of heat, and massage to alleviate muscle spasm and/or soreness, and bracing of various degrees are often prescribed. Lower back pain often tends to become chronic or to recur frequently so none of these methods is wholly satisfactory. Bed rest is economically severe for those whose means of livelihood require physical activity so it is sought only as a last resort. Heat treatment and massage are of a temporary nature, and the latter at least must be performed by a trained physiotherapist. Bracing, while common, is only partially effective and also uncomfortable and restrictive to the wearer.

A number of previous inventors have attempted to provide a solution to this problem. For example, R. Schwab, U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,594 provided an apparatus with knee-supporting saddles from which the patient may be suspended head downward to permit manipulation. B. Hilyard, U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,216 provided a spine adjustment mechanism which holds the pelvic bones rigidly, so that when a person causes his upper torso to swing, an adjustment of the spinal vertebrae is achieved.

Although these devices have been helpful, they suffer certain disadvantages. For example, the apparatus of Hilyard does not relieve the effect of gravity and may not be successful in relieving muscle spasm. The device of Schwab is complicated and is primarily suitable for use in an institution by a trained operator. A person would find great difficulty in using the apparatus without assistance.

Accordingly a need exists for a means of alleviating lower back pain due to muscle strain and/or spasm which can be used by a patient with little or no assistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus to assist in the relief of lower back pain.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus which is effective for promoting relaxation, mild stretching and gentle exercise of the muscles of the lower back and pelvic region.

A third object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which can be used by a person without need of a trained operator.

Still other objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises (a) a frame adjustably mounted on legs or other supportive members at a preselected angle of from about 0 to about 20 from the horizontal, (b) an adjustable, rigid means for supporting the knees in trapeze fashion and adapted to be linearly adjustable from said frame, and (c) a supporting means for the upper back, shoulders and head. The weight of a person using the invention will be distributed between the knee support and the back support leaving the lower back and pelvic area freely suspended.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus takes the form of a chair mounted on generally arcuate rockers and capable of being tilted backwardly until it comes in contact with the floor and the frame is at a preselected angle of O20, preferably 520, from the horizontal.

With reference to the drawings:

FIG. I shows a general view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus tilted back and in use. Also shown in broken lines is the apparatus in upright position.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the apparatus in upright position.

FIG. 3 is a top view taken at the section of line 3 in FIG. 2 showing the details of the adjustable knee and ankle support.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a non-tilting embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 isa cross-sectional view taken at about F or F showing the roller and track.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment wherein the roller and track are replaced by a skid.

DETAILED DISCUSSION With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the preferred embodiment of the invention constitutes a tilt-back chair having a back-frame 1 with handles 8 attached to a seat frame 2 preferably with cushion 11, connected to supporting members 3 attached to rockers 5 and having arm rests 4. Extensions 7 of the :seat frame are fitted with slots 13 adapted to engage padded knee support 6 having attached thereto ankle leverage bars 12. A back-stop 14 is also provided. A supporting means for the upper back, shoulders and head, hereinafter designated the back-rest 9, preferably with cushion I0, is mounted on said frame either stationary and spaced upwardly from said seat frame and cushion, or preferably linearly, movably mounted, e.g. on rollers 16 with a track therefor 17, as shown in FIG. 5 or on skid 18 as shown in FIG. 6, on back frame 1 and is adapted to move from position D when upright to position E when titled. With respect to rocker 5, the arc AB is on a radius of, for example, about 3 ft., but arc BC is on a radius sufficiently less than the radius of arc AB that the chair will remain in the tilt-back position without risk of inadvertently returning to the upright position. The preselected angle can be provided by hinged members not shown, pivotably attached to back frame 1 near the top and adapted to be brought into position to control the angle. These members can be substituted for backstop 14.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the tilt-back feature can be provided [by eliminating rocker 5 and pivotably and adjustably mounting frame I and seat frame 2 to supporting members 3. Back frame 1 and seat frame 5 will be in a fixed relationship.

FIG. 4 is a simplified embodiment showing back frame I mounted at about 12 from horizontal. Gener ally, however, in this embodiment it is preferred that the back rest be more or less horizontal because it is difficult for a person to position himselfon it if the back rest is at an angle. Member 2 which formed a seat frame in the preferred embodiment becomes a leg and supporting member 7 for adjustable knee support 6 with ankle brace member 12. This embodiment is also provided with slots as in FIG. 3 but they are not shown in this drawing.

In another embodiment, which can also be employed with the tilt-back chair of FIG. 1, supporting member 7 is pivotably mounted at about its point of attachment with frame I and is adapted to be freely movable through an angle of about 80 to about 1 10 from horizontal. Similarly knee support 6 can be pivotably mounted to member 7 to make possible a natural knee flexure within about 3090 and permits a desirable freedom of movement. Knee support 6 can also be provided in a divided form, one for each knee, because it is not necessary that the knees be identically positioned.

FIG. 4 is shown provided with back-rest 9 with cushion 10 movably mounted, e.g., on rollers 16 with tracks 17 (FIG. or on a polished skid 18, FIG. 6. If preferred, back-rest 9 can be eliminated and cushion can be mounted more or less stationary on frame 1. In either case, cushion 10 and/or back-rest 9 is spaced from member 7 and is adapted to support the head, shoulders and upper back and permit the pelvis to be freely suspended. As can readily be seen, this embodiment can be easily provided by a table with a cushion to which is attached an adjustable knee support.

Particularly in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a stop means is provided for back-rest 9 so that its distance of movement is controlled. This can be effected by providing an interior obstruction to stop the frame at about E, or frame 1 can be lengthened to the desired limit of movement of back-rest 9 and provided with a suitable stopping means for blocking the path of the back-rest. Many means will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In the practice of the present invention, a person sits in the chair in the upright position and adjusts knee support 6 to his dimensions. A second person then tilts the chair backward to its tilt-back position, having previously selected the preferred angle. The back-rest 9 then slides downwardly due to gravity leaving the lower back and pelvic area suspended as shown in FIG. 1. While in this position, the person is encouraged to perform a variety of pelvic motions to the extent that pain permits. The time spent in the chair is optional with the person, but generally 5-15 minutes 3 or 4 times per day is sufficient to provide relief. Short periods of bed rest between these periods is also helpful. In severe cases, relief may not be obtained for several days. The pelvic motions consist of, e.g., forward pelvic tilts, arching of the back and relaxation, and twisting movements. A formalized routine is seldom necessary for the movements arise instinctively and the person quickly learns those motions which provide the greatest relief. At the end of the period of use, the second person will preferably return the chair to the upright position.

The apparatus of FIG. 4 is advantageous, especially when frame 1 is horizontal, in that the assistance of a second person is not needed. Otherwise the person uses it in the same manner as the preferred embodiment. However, when a person is in a great deal of pain and is virtually incapable of executing movements requiring spinal flexibility, he may find it difficult to mount this embodiment of the invention. Therefore the embodiment of FIG. 1 is preferred.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of construction are possible without departing from the concept of this invention. For example, metal rods can be substituted for extensions 7 and instead of slots 13, the knee support can be provided with setscrews engageable with the rod for making ad- 5 justments.

I claim:

I. An apparatus for promoting relaxation and gentle exercise of the muscles of the lower back and pelvic area so adapted that said pelvic area is suspended comprising:

a. a frame mounted on supporting means at an angle of from about 0 to about 20 below the horizontal,

b. an adjustable rigid means for supporting the knees adapted to be linearly adjustable from said frame whereby said pelvic area is suspended, and

c. a supporting means for the upper back, shoulders and head.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said backrest means is inclined to below the horizontal at an angle of 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said back-rest means is horizontal.

4. An apparatus in the form of a tiltback chair adapted to permit light exercise and relaxation of the lumbar and pelvic regions comprising:

a. a back-frame with a linearly-movable backrest mounted thereon adapted to be linearly movable through a distance of from about 3 to about 12 inches, whereby mild stretching is applied to said pelvic area,

b. a seat frame connected to generally arcuate rockers by supporting members whereby said apparatus can be tilted from an upright position to a tilted position, said back frame and said seat frame being mounted at an angle such that when said apparatus is in said tilt-back position, said back-rest is at an angle below horizontal within the range of about 0 to about 20,

c. a forwardly adjustable knee and lower leg support means and having attached thereto ankle bracing means adapted to engage the ankles or lower tibia whereby said pelvic area is suspended.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said angle is ad- 45 justable and can be preselected.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said back-rest is movably mounted on said back frame by a skid means. 7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said back-rest is movably mounted on said back frame with a roller and 50 track means.

8. An apparatus for promoting relaxation and gentle exercise of the muscles of the lower back and pelvic regions comprising:

a. a frame horizontally mounted on a supporting means,

b. an adjustable rigid means for supporting the knees mounted to said frame at an angle of from about 80 to about 110 with respect to said frame, and

c. a supporting means for the head, shoulders and upper back spaced from said means for supporting said knees, thereby permitting the pelvic region to be freely suspended and in a position for gentle exercise.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said knee- 5 supporting means is mounted permitting flexure of the knees to less than 90. 

1. An apparatus for promoting relaxation and gentle exercise of the muscles of the lower back and pelvic area so adapted that said pelvic area is suspended comprising: a. a frame mounted on supporting means at an angle of from about 0* to about 20* below the horizontal, b. an adjustable rigid means for supporting the knees adapted to be linearly adjustable from said frame whereby said pelvic area is suspended, and c. a supporting means for the upper back, shoulders and head.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said backrest means is inclined to below the horizontal at an angle of 5*-20*.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said back-rest means is horizontal.
 4. An apparatus in the form of a tiltback chair adapted to permit light exercise and relaxation of the lumbar and pelvic regions comprising: a. a back-frame with a linearly-movable backrest mounted thereon adapted to be linearly movable through a distance of from aboUt 3 to about 12 inches, whereby mild stretching is applied to said pelvic area, b. a seat frame connected to generally arcuate rockers by supporting members whereby said apparatus can be tilted from an upright position to a tilted position, said back frame and said seat frame being mounted at an angle such that when said apparatus is in said tilt-back position, said back-rest is at an angle below horizontal within the range of about 0* to about 20*, c. a forwardly adjustable knee and lower leg support means and having attached thereto ankle bracing means adapted to engage the ankles or lower tibia whereby said pelvic area is suspended.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said angle is adjustable and can be preselected.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said back-rest is movably mounted on said back frame by a skid means.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said back-rest is movably mounted on said back frame with a roller and track means.
 8. An apparatus for promoting relaxation and gentle exercise of the muscles of the lower back and pelvic regions comprising: a. a frame horizontally mounted on a supporting means, b. an adjustable rigid means for supporting the knees mounted to said frame at an angle of from about 80* to about 110* with respect to said frame, and c. a supporting means for the head, shoulders and upper back spaced from said means for supporting said knees, thereby permitting the pelvic region to be freely suspended and in a position for gentle exercise.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said knee-supporting means is mounted permitting flexure of the knees to less than 90*. 